Right on target
Quarterback King, receivers shine in Hurricanes’ first preseason scrimmage
D’Eriq King took another step in proving last year’s season-ending knee injury is behind him, seemingly showing no signs of rust in the Miami Hurricanes’ first preseason scrimmage.
King went 12 of 16 for 124 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s scrimmage, according to UM coach Manny Diaz in video released by the team shortly after the scrimmage ended.
The scrimmage was closed to both fans and the media.
“I thought he was phenomenal running the offense,” Diaz said of the 23-year-old quarterback. “Extending plays with his legs — the guy’s a tough guy to defend.”
Several wide receivers put up big numbers in the scrimmage, with true freshman Jacolby
George leading the way with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown off a slant route.
Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo had the other touchdown reception, ending the scrimmage with 60 receiving yards.
True freshman Romello Brinson had four receptions for 73
yards, while fourth-year junior Mark Pope had three catches for 56 yards.
True freshman Brashard Smith had 30 receiving yards, while second-year freshman Xavier Restrepo finished Sunday with five receptions, according to Diaz.
“It wouldn’t be a scrimmage without Restrepo making five catches,” Diaz said. “The guy does it every time we scrimmage.”
Defensively, Diaz was impressed by third-year sophomore Keontra Smith, who’s now lining up as a linebacker after previously being a striker — Miami’s linebacker/safety hybrid position. Smith had four tackles for losses, a sack and a pass breakup in the scrimmage.
“He’s stood out all camp,” Diaz said of Smith. “[He] made a big tackle where it really felt like we had a change in the momentum, getting the defense back going again.”
Zach McCloud, who moved from linebacker to defensive end late last season, had a “great” sack late in Sunday’s scrimmage, according to Diaz.
“Those guys up front,” Diaz said, “really stood out.”
Diaz added that the next week of practices will be focused on getting the team to take another step forward with its execution.
The Hurricanes, who started fall camp on Aug. 6, have three more weeks of preseason practices before their season-opening matchup against Alabama, the defending national champions, on Sept. 4 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
They’re expected to have a second scrimmage before the season opener.
“We’ve practiced nine times — there’s evidence on both sides of the ball that this can be an outstanding football team,” Diaz said. “There’s also evidence on both sides of the ball that we’re not quite there yet. Greatness comes from being consistently good.
“You’re always going to have that tug-of-war during camp where one day the defense edges it, the next day the offense edges it. When we’re both executing and playing at that high level — that’s what this next week is going to be about. Let’s take that next step and not be satisfied with being good. We think greatness is available.”